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Japanese Gilt Wood Fukukenjaku Kannon, Meiji Period or Earlier, Japan

About the Item

An attractive and esoteric Japanese carved and gilt wood figure of Fukukenjaku Kannon, Amoghapasa, Meiji period or earlier, Japan. Fukukenjaku Kannon is portrayed in an usual six armed form, with the primary hand raised at heart level and performing anjali mudra, the gesture of devotion, one pair of secondary arms are outstretched, hands closed to grasp attributes which are now missing (one of which would have been a lasso), and another pair of arms is raised with hands outstretched and palms facing up. He is seated in full lotus position with the soles of the feet upturned. Fukukenjaku Kannon is dressed in beautifully draped heavy robes covering his robust body, leaving the chest exposed. His face is solemn and serene. An urna marks his forehead, set between his almond shaped and downcast eyes. The sculpture has been re-gilt, possibly several times. As such, it is difficult to ascertain the true age of this piece. We are very conservatively dating it as Meiji, though it could be much older, Edo Period, or even Muromachi - Momoyama. The loosely woven fabric under the lacquer, visible on the underside of the sculpture, would suggest an earlier dating. This figure is known as Fukukenjaku Kannon in Japan. The name is translated from the Sanskrit Amoghapasha, meaning Never Empty Lasso. The lasso is a metaphor for the compassion of Amoghapasha. Never empty, and never failing, the lasso (compassion) is large enough to encompass all sentient beings, drawing them out of suffering, into enlightenment.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
  • Style:
    Meiji (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1900-1909
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1900 or Earlier
  • Condition:
    Repaired: Possible repairs to the arms. The figure re-gilt. Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading. The figure has been re-gilt at some point. The arms possibly repaired. Missing the attributes. Missing the crown. Scattered cracks and losses to the gilt lacquer. One large loss to the lacquer at the shoulder. See photos.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894731115002
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